Anti-oxidation and immune responses in mice upon exposure to manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae, Bombyx mori L.

With manganese superoxide dismutase expressed in silkworm larvae, Bomby mori L, we investigate the effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on the antioxidation and the immune system of mouse. The contents of MDA both in mice plasma or liver organ treated with silkworm larvae powder containing manganese superoxide dismutase were reduced compare to control. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities both in plasma or liver organ of the treated mice were significantly higher than that of both control and bromobenzene treated mice (group-BM), suggesting the silkworm larvae powder containing SOD play a positive role in anti-oxidation in mice. This experiment was also designed to investigate the effects of silkworm larvae powder containing SOD on the immune system of mouse, focused on hemolysin response, hemagglutination against SRBC and the activity of natural killer (NK) cells. All treated mice showed significant increase in hemolysin response to SRBC and demonstrated an activation of NK cell function by the SOD-contained silkworm larvae powder, which suggest a promotion in humoral immunity. The results suggested the SOD expressed in silkworm maybe have potential application in medicine.